Solvent Extraction and its Effects on the Phytochemical Yield and Antioxidant Capacity of Commiphora africana (Burseraceae)

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants as a core component of the traditional African health care system is perhaps the oldest and most diverse of all therapeutic approaches. Traditional herbal healers are, in many parts of rural Africa, the most readily accessible and affordable health resource available to the local population and, at times, the only surviving treatment. Finding a suitable solvent is important to obtain a high yield of antioxidants in the phytochemicals present in C. africana. Among the solvents, methanol displayed the highest capacity in extracting glycosides (223.12±1.20 mg LE/g dry weight) phenolics (89.09±0.24 (mg GAE/g dry weight) and flavonoids (80.88±0.24 mg QE/g dry weight) from C. africana stem bark extract. Closely related trend was observed in glycosides, phenolics and flavonoids extracted with n-hexane. These findings suggest a high number of polar glycosides and phenolics in the stem extract of C. africana. These findings validate the pharmacological activities of the plant in Africa.

Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Potential of Tobacco Flower Extract in Different Solvents

“…The methanol extract showed the highest TPC among the other extracts (Table 2). The availability of phytochemicals is determined by their solubility in the solvent [12]. Methanol is a polar and universal solvent, as it can extract both polar and non-polar components [13].…”

“…The presence of phytochemicals with different chemical structures and polarities can affect their solubility in the chosen solvent, thereby selecting the best solvent for phytochemical extraction is essential. Optimal solution extraction optimizes the yield of phytochemicals and antioxidants [12]. Methanol and ethanol are commonly used polar solvents for extraction, while n-hexane represents a nonpolar solvent.…”

Exploring the In Vitro Antioxidant, Anti-Aging, and Cytotoxic Properties of Kaempferia galanga Linn. Rhizome Extracts for Cosmeceutical Formulations

“…The phytochemical composition of the KG rhizome aligned with previous studies, primarily consisting of terpenoids, phenolics, diarylheptanoids, and flavonoids. Notably, flavonoid compounds exhibited a lower presence in aqueous extracts compared to hexane and methanol [23,24]. Additionally, the phytochemical analysis of the KG extract obtained with alcohol showed the presence of saponin, tannin, phenols, and steroids, while extraction with ethyl acetate and hexane identified steroids and tannins [23].…”